Port Jefferson
School of Rock

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Port Jefferson

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School of Rock Port Jefferson
4837 Nesconset Hwy
Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776
(631) 476-7625

Location Specifics

Located on Route 347 next door to Wahlburgers Restaurant and across the street from Home Goods.

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Hours
  • Monday: 2 PM - 9:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 2 PM - 10:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 2 PM - 9:30 PM
  • Thursday: 2 PM - 9:30 PM
  • Friday: 2 PM - 10:30 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Upcoming Special Hours:

  • 11/23/2023: Closed

Music programs at School of Rock Port Jefferson combine one-on-one lessons with group band practices

Programs we offer

Rock 101 music program in Port Jefferson Station for kids and beginners
Rock 101
Ages 8-13

Rock 101 is one of School of Rock Port Jefferson's top programs for kids and beginners. Students have one weekly group rehearsal where they learn to play classic rock songs that have been simplified for beginner musicians. Additionally, Rock 101 students in Port Jefferson have a weekly private music lesson with an instructor who helps them learn the concepts and skills behind their performance songs.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

Our music programs for kids in Port Jefferson Station are designed to get students on stage performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency. Younger students at School of Rock Port Jefferson who have participated in the Rookies program can move to our Rock 101 music program once they’re ready. Additionally, students (typically ages 8 to 13-years-old) can begin Rock 101 without any prior experience. The goal of this rock program is to quickly develop a basic competence on students’ chosen instruments before moving on to our famous Performance Program.

Performance music program for teens in Port Jefferson Station
Performance
Ages 8-18

The Performance Program at School of Rock Port Jefferson is our hallmark music program, where tens of thousands of students enroll each year. It consists of a weekly group rehearsal where kids and teens learn by playing rock music's most iconic songs with a band composed of their peers. Students are assigned songs and parts that are tailored to them based on their age, experience and ability to learn new skills and concepts. Students then work through their parts in weekly private music lessons, refining the skills and concepts that those songs introduce. The goal of this curriculum is to prepare kids and teens for live performances. Every few months, School of Rock Port Jefferson Performance Program students take the stage and play at local Port Jefferson Station music venues in front of a live audience.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

School of Rock Port Jefferson's music programs for kids and teens are designed to inspire by getting students on stage and performing. All of our other music education programs focus on readying students for our famous Performance Program. This is where students develop incredible musical skills. Performance Program students have often gone through our Rock 101 program first or have some previous basic music experience. These young musicians will have custom development plans outlined by their instructors with key concepts reinforced during private lessons and group rehearsals, all with the goal of performing live at a Port Jefferson Station music venue.

Rookies music program for children in Port Jefferson Station
Rookies
Ages 6-7

At School of Rock Port Jefferson, our music program for children with no previous musical experience (typically ages 6 to 7-years-old) is called Rookies. Rookies students have one weekly group music lesson where they learn fundamentals like chords, rhythm and song structure. Kids get to learn and experiment with multiple instruments so they can later decide which one they ultimately want to continue pursuing in Rock 101.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP LESSON
  • USE OF SIMPLIFIED ROCK INSTRUMENTS TO TEACH KIDS TO PLAY MUSIC

The Path to Take the Stage

All of our music programs are designed to inspire students to learn and develop a strong musical proficiency. At School of Rock Port Jefferson, younger students who are not ready for a more comprehensive program like Rock 101 can start in Rookies. Additionally, students who have completed the Little Wing program will progress into the Rookies music program. No prior musical experience is needed for Rookies. Once your child is ready for private music lessons (typically older than first or second graders), they will graduate into our Rock 101 program.

Songwriting
Age 12 and over

Our Songwriting program for kids and teens teaches the fundamentals of songwriting, arrangement and music theory, and helps students compose original works.  At School of Rock Port Jefferson, songwriting students receive one weekly private lesson where they learn concepts, technique and theory on an instrument of their choice. These principles are then applied in a weekly group lesson where students work together on songwriting exercises and lyrical workshops.  Every few months, Songwriting students take the stage to perform or band together to record their original songs.

What to Expect
  • 1 weekly private lesson
  • 1 weekly group lesson

The Path to Take the Stage

Our Songwriting program for kids and teens in Port Jefferson Station is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock Port Jefferson who have completed our Rock 101 program can move to our Songwriting program once they’re ready. Additionally, new students who have prior experience with and basic knowledge of an instrument can also begin Songwriting. The program culminates with a live showcase where students perform their original compositions in bands at a local music venue. Students taking the Songwriting Program online will remotely record their original songs to produce a demo of the class's music.

Remote student playing guitar
Online
All Ages

At School of Rock Port Jefferson, our students can take online, one-on-one music instruction from the comfort of their homes. We call this program School of Rock Remote. This online music program contains weekly one-on-one instruction conducted by our expert School of Rock instructors in a safe virtual lesson room.
 
Students will receive their training using our proprietary education program, The School of Rock Method™, which couples live video lessons with our proprietary Method App™, SongFirst Approach™ and Method Books™. 

What To Expect
  • ONE WEEKLY 1-ON-1 LESSON
  • LESSONS CONDUCTED USING SECURE VIDEO TECHNOLOGY

THE PATH TO TAKE THE STAGE

All of our music programs for kids, teens, and adults are designed to help students gain amazing musical proficiency. School of Rock’s online music lesson program is no exception. Online guitar lessons, online piano lessons, online drum lessons, online singing lessons and online bass guitar lessons are all offered through the School of Rock Remote online program.

Adult music program in Port Jefferson Station for students over 18
Adult Program
Ages 18+

School of Rock Port Jefferson's Adult Program is for students over 18 years old who are looking to either improve their musical proficiency or pick up an instrument with no prior musical experience. As with most School of Rock music programs, the Adult Program uses a performance-based music education approach. This means the curriculum focuses on learning music concepts and applying them in a live performance setting. Our Adult Music Program includes one weekly private music lesson and a weekly group rehearsal. Every student at School of Rock Port Jefferson is placed in a band of fellow adults and then assigned specific songs as a way of learning key music concepts and skills. Adult students then take the stage to play at a live show in Port Jefferson Station.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

All of our music programs are designed to inspire by getting students on stage and performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency along the way. The School of Rock Port Jefferson Adult Program is open to all experience levels and each student will follow a customized learning plan developed by their instructor. Adult students will work together during rehearsal to prepare for a live performance at a real rock venue in Port Jefferson Station.

House Band program for gigging at local venues in Port Jefferson Station
House Band
Age 17 and Under

The School of Rock Port Jefferson House Band music program gives students under 18 the opportunity to join a gigging band composed of fellow musicians from their school. These students perform additional live shows throughout the year. All students in the Performance Program have the opportunity to audition for a spot in School of Rock Port Jefferson's House Band. Once selected, House Band members become leaders in their School of Rock community and perform live shows at NY rock venues throughout the year.

What To Expect
  • A GIGGING MUSICIAN'S EXPERIENCE
  • FREQUENT LIVE PERFORMANCES IN COMMUNITY

The Path to Take the Stage

Performance is the core of School of Rock's educational approach. Therefore, we create additional opportunities for students to perform on stages throughout Port Jefferson Station and the rest of NY. The House Band music program allows each school's most talented students the opportunity to join a band and play routinely in front of live audiences. Once a member, students will gain real music experience associated with gigging musicians and will become leaders and mentors inside the School of Rock community.

The AllStars national tour features the best child and teen musicians
AllStars
Age 17 and Under

The School of Rock AllStars Tour takes the very best students from around the world and sends them on a nationwide summer tour across the United States. Less than 1% of School of Rock students are selected each year to represent School of Rock as an AllStar. All Performance Program students are eligible to audition for this prestigious program. The intensive audition process starts off with video submissions followed by live auditions. Once selected, AllStar students will have an authentic touring experience including traveling on a tour bus, doing tour publicity and starring in nightly performances at famous venues and festivals during a two-week tour.

What To Expect
  • A MULTI-CITY, COUNTRY-WIDE MUSIC TOUR EXPERIENCE
  • PERFORMING ON SOME OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST FAMOUS STAGES IN THE WORLD

The Path to Take the Stage

Becoming an AllStar is the highest level of achievement for a School of Rock student. They play on legendary stages large and small, including The Knitting Factory, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Troubadour and Lollapalooza. AllStar students often go on to have accomplished careers in the music industry. Former AllStars have gone on to become touring artists, star in Broadway musicals, get signed to record deals, become finalists on talent competitions like "The Voice" and "American Idol" and have other notable roles in the music industry.

Music Lessons in Port Jefferson

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Port Jefferson Station

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock Port Jefferson, we offer beginner guitar lessons for kids. Our expert guitar instructors guide your child from start to finish with private instruction and weekly group band rehearsals. Every instructor at School of Rock Port Jefferson is an experienced musician, and they emphasize foundational music theory and technique when teaching guitar lessons to kids. Unlike other Port Jefferson Station guitar lessons and programs, School of Rock is designed to get students performing in a band.

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Adults

It’s never too late to learn to play the guitar. Similar to our kids guitar lessons, School of Rock Port Jefferson's beginner guitar lessons for adults utilizes a performance-based curriculum. Our experienced instructors teach adult students through popular rock songs, and teach students to play guitar in a way that’s challenging and fun. We believe the best way to learn is by doing, which is why we combine weekly private guitar lessons with group band rehearsals. At School of Rock Port Jefferson, we teach beginner guitar lessons for adults in our Adult Program. This program gets students performing onstage at a local Port Jefferson Station venue.

Key Concepts
  • Technique
  • Solos
  • Chords
  • Theory

Intermediate to Advanced Guitar Lessons

As students gain skills and experience, we move them along to more challenging programs at higher skill levels. Intermediate and advanced students take the skills they learned in beginner guitar lessons, and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. School of Rock Port Jefferson offers advanced guitar lessons for kids and adults that teach by playing challenging classic rock songs and emphasize playing the guitar in a real music venue. Our Port Jefferson Station guitar teachers will work with each student to develop a custom learning plan.

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Port Jefferson Station

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Port Jefferson is the best option for anyone looking to learn the drums. Our beginner drum lessons get kids behind the drum kit and on their way to taking the stage. That’s why at School of Rock Port Jefferson we combine private drum lessons for beginners with weekly band rehearsals—it prepares students to perform live. With years of experience teaching drums in Port Jefferson Station, our drum instructors teach beginner drum students core techniques, including how to groove, play rudiments and more.

Beginner Drum Lessons for Adults

Our drum lessons for adults are designed to accommodate all skill levels. At School of Rock Port Jefferson, our beginner drum lessons for adults are built for musicians with little to no experience. We teach adults using the same core performance-based education philosophy as our drum lessons for kids—performing with a band accelerates the learning process. Adult students will perform live at a venue in Port Jefferson Station. Unlike other Port Jefferson Station drum lessons for beginners, School of Rock combines private drum lessons with weekly band rehearsals so students are ready to play in front of real, live audiences.

Key Concepts
  • RUDIMENTS
  • TIME SIGNATURES
  • TECHNIQUE
  • GROOVE

Intermediate to Advanced Drum Lessons

More experienced to advanced drum students need a drum lesson curriculum that builds upon foundational skills and continues to grow musical proficiency. That’s why at School of Rock Port Jefferson, our drum lessons are customized for each student and his or her goals. Our Port Jefferson Station drum instructors integrate more complex techniques and concepts—intermediary grooves, shifts, meters and more—into a student's individual lessons and group band rehearsal, and will also select more difficult songs for his or her live performances.

 

Kid learns to sing at School of Rock Port Jefferson Station

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Port Jefferson offers beginner singing lessons for kids. Our unique, performance-based approach develops students' musical proficiency by preparing them to perform live. At School of Rock Port Jefferson, our vocal coaches are practicing musicians who integrate key music fundamentals—breathing, posture and more—into a curriculum based on performing with a band. Each week, beginner singing students participate in a private singing lesson and a band rehearsal.

Beginner Singing Lessons for Adults

School of Rock Port Jefferson teaches adults how to sing in our innovative Adult Program. Students develop vocal skills at a challenging pace designed to help you see results with every singing lesson. Adult vocalists learn how to keep tempo, stay on-key and master advanced vocal techniques for a powerful and healthy voice. Our curriculum teaches students how to sing by using popular rock songs that emphasize key concepts. Each week, Adult Program students have a private singing lesson for beginners and group band rehearsal.

Key Concepts
  • TECHNIQUE
  • HARMONY
  • POWER
  • READING

Intermediate to Advanced Singing Lessons

At School of Rock Port Jefferson, our singing lessons for kids and adults are designed to help our students reach a high degree of musical proficiency. Intermediate and advanced singers take skills learned from previous singing lessons and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. Our advanced singing lessons teach students to sing by performing popular rock songs that illustrate a specific vocal concept or technique. We pair weekly private singing lessons with weekly band rehearsals with the goal of getting musicians to perform live in Port Jefferson Station.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Port Jefferson Station

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Port Jefferson offers beginner bass guitar lessons for kids that blend weekly private instruction with weekly band rehearsals. This performance-based approach results in a high level of musical proficiency because it engages and inspires students. Every School of Rock bass instructor is a practicing musician in Port Jefferson Station and teaches bass lessons for kids that get great results. Beginners learn to play bass guitar by using popular rock songs that illustrate key concepts and techniques.

Beginner Bass Lessons for Adults

Adults looking to learn bass guitar can enroll in School of Rock’s Adult Program. No experience is necessary in our beginner bass guitar lessons for adults. At School of Rock Port Jefferson, our experienced, local bass guitar instructors have the patience and skills to help adult students gain musical proficiency. As with all School of Rock music programs, our bass guitar lessons for adults ciriculum is performance-based, and include both weekly private instruction and weekly band rehearsals.

Key Concepts
  • GROOVE
  • TECHNIQUE
  • THEORY
  • TONE

Intermediate to Advanced Bass Lessons

Our intermediate to advanced bass guitar lessons teach Port Jefferson Station students the skills they need to become the backbone of a band. Students take skills from previous bass lessons and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. At School of Rock Port Jefferson, our bass instructors use popular rock songs as a way of teaching students advanced concepts and techniques. We pair weekly private bass lessons with weekly band rehearsals to inspire and engage students throughout the learning process.

Kid learns to play piano at School of Rock Port Jefferson Station

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Port Jefferson Station. Our curriculum is performance-based, meaning that we prepare students to perform. Our piano lessons for beginners combine weekly private instruction with weekly band rehearsals. At School of Rock Port Jefferson, our beginner keyboard lessons for kids take key concepts and music fundamentals—finger placement, scales, key differentiation and more—and teach them through popular rock songs. This approach inspires and engages students, which results in attaining a high level of musical proficiency. Our piano teachers have years of experience teaching music in the Port Jefferson Station area, and know how to coach and motivate students of any skill level to play the keyboard.

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Adults

The School of Rock Port Jefferson Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Port Jefferson Station area learn to play piano through a combination of weekly private beginner piano lessons and weekly band rehearsals. At School of Rock, our piano lessons give adult students the chance to perform in a band at local Port Jefferson Station music venues, taking them out of the classroom and onto the stage.

Key Concepts
  • TECHNIQUE
  • TONE
  • THEORY
  • READING

Intermediate to Advanced Keyboard Lessons

At School of Rock Port Jefferson, our keyboard lessons for kids and adults are designed to help students get results. Intermediate and advanced students take skills learned from beginner keyboard lessons and layer on more advanced piano techniques with concepts. Our local keyboard instructors are all practicing musicians in Port Jefferson Station, and use popular rock songs as a way of teaching complex skills. We pair weekly private piano lessons with weekly band rehearsals to inspire and engage students throughout the learning process.

Our Experienced Music Teachers

All of School of Rock Port Jefferson’s music teachers are experienced musicians devoted to helping students attain musical proficiency. Our instructors guide students one-on-one to personalize learning, inspire confidence and build social skills.

Music Director, House Band Director, Show Director, Guitar Teacher Matt Marek
Matt Marek
Music Director, House Band Director, Show Director, Guitar Teacher
Matt is the Music Director at School of Rock Port Jefferson. He is also our House Band Director, a Show Director, and a Guitar Teacher. Throughout his time working at School of Rock, Matt has taught every level of class ranging from the Rookies program all the way to the School of Rock AllStars program. Matt received his bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University.

Matt is a School of Rock alum and uses his past experiences in the program as well as his musical knowledge to motivate and educate all of his students. Matt has formed multiple rock and metal bands and is an active songwriter. His original bands have gotten to share stages with national acts including members of Guns N' Roses and Skid Row.

Matt encourages his students to not only work hard but to enjoy their musical journey in the hopes of also expanding their interests and goals.
General Manager, Show Director, Grad Band Director, Drum Teacher, Horns Teacher Ryan McGovern
Ryan McGovern
General Manager, Show Director, Grad Band Director, Drum Teacher, Horns Teacher
Ryan started playing percussion at the age of 15 when he joined the Longwood High School Marching Band. He was inspired by his teacher Ed Walsh to pursue a career in music education. Ryan has his B.S. and M.A. in music education from Hofstra University.

Ryan taught general music at the Riverhead Charter School and the Roosevelt Children's Academy Charter School. He also taught musical theater at the Longwood Youth Theater Experience and Theatrics Performing Arts. Ryan often performs with his ska band Crisis Crayons around Long Island. He has been teaching at School of Rock Port Jefferson since 2013 where he teaches percussion, brass, and woodwinds. Ryan is also a seasonal show director and directs the Grad Band.
Guitar Teacher, Assistant Show Director Bobby Rosenthal
Bobby Rosenthal
Guitar Teacher, Assistant Show Director
Bobby Rosenthal picked up the guitar at the age of 13 and has been involved in music and performance ever since. Bobby has a bachelor of music degree from Five Towns College, where he studied with John Kelly and Peter Rogine. Though most of his college career was spent studying jazz music, Bobby’s knowledge and expertise span the genre spectrum to include classic rock, reggae, and blues.

Bobby has played guitar, bass, and keyboards in multiple bands since high school. He has performed numerous times at venues across Long Island and New York City with friends and he recorded, produced, and released his first full-length album by the age of 19. Bobby’s time playing with many different bands illuminated his capacity for teaching and his love for helping others learn music. During many practices he found himself teaching the other band members their parts. His work with his friends inspired Bobby to begin teaching privately and ultimately led him to School of Rock Port Jefferson, where he is a guitar teacher and bass guitar teacher.
Singing Teacher, Assistant Show Director Catherine Daniels
Catherine Daniels
Singing Teacher, Assistant Show Director
Catherine Daniels is a classically trained professional singer who recently graduated from the Fredonia School of Music with a degree in vocal performance. Catherine has been involved in many operas and has worked with the Hillman Opera Company. She has also competed in concerto competitions and is an alumna of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra.

Catherine has performed at numerous venues such as Carnegie Hall, Radio City, and Citi Field. She is currently working as a vocal instructor here at School of Rock Port Jefferson and is also an experienced Youth Choir Director locally. Catherine hopes to share her knowledge and experience with her students so that they may sing healthily, and for them to find their unique sound. She hopes to share her love of music with each and every one of her students.
Guitar Teacher Chris Schmidt
Chris Schmidt
Guitar Teacher
Chris Schmidt has a bachelor's degree in music from Stony Brook University. He currently plays in multiple bands such as Nicolls Road (top 40 cover band), Tired Radio (original band), Know Your Enemy (a tribute to Rage Against the Machine), and Mikki May (solo act). Chris has also performed at the NAMM festival in California and is familiar with home recording software and engineering. Chris loves teaching all of his students ranging from beginners to even advanced students. In addition to directing shows in our performance program, he also enjoys teaching music theory and songwriting/composition!
 Chris Schramm Guitar Teacher
Chris Schramm
Show Director, Guitar Teacher
Chris is a guitar and bass instructor, as well as a show director with a bachelor's degree in music business from SUNY Oneonta. Chris has been playing guitar since he was 11 years old and bass when he started at School of Rock Port Jeff as one of their first students. Chris has played in multiple bands in just about every genre ranging from metal to blues. Chris hopes to inspire his students to not only enjoy playing their instruments, but to create their own music!
Singing Teacher, Assistant Show Director Christina Montalto-Dubois
Christina Montalto-Dubois
Singing Teacher, Assistant Show Director
Christina Montalto-Dubois has worked professionally in the music and the arts world for well over a decade. During her undergraduate study, Christina won the 2011 Concerto Competition, performed across the tri-state area, and traveled internationally performing solo and choral works under Dr. Mark Shapiro. Her studies expanded beyond college and she trained under various classical professionals to master her craft of singing.

Christina resided as Vice President and coordinator of Songe d'été en musique, a music school and festival based in Quebec, and has also lent her expertise to various organizations and grassroots projects. Her love of teaching has led her to hold workshops, classes, events, and choirs around Long Island.

Christina has been teaching at School of Rock since 2014, and her teaching ideology combines the vocal techniques of the old masters to enhance the ability to sing in all modern styles and genres. Christina lends her voice at local churches and can also be found performing with “Long Island’s tallest Ska band” the Crisis Crayons. Apart from singing, Christina is known to stay up late after her two children are asleep to paint, draw, sculpt, and create in her home studio.
Drum Teacher Dan Marcus
Dan Marcus
Drum Teacher
Dan has been playing drums since he was 6 years old and teaching drums for over 35 years —
from children to adults, beginner to advanced. Dan is also a qualified NYSMA instructor for
students of all levels. Dan studied under some of the most well known drummers, Frank Bellucci, Rod Morganstein, and Terry Bozzio. The collective knowledge from his mentors shows through in his teaching and philosophy. Dan has played in various bands since 1985, both studio recording and live shows in venues such as Westbury Music Fair Theater, and performing on the Joe Franklin Show.
Dan takes a lot of pride in his teaching, molding the student into a well versed musician. He
focuses on all styles of drumming, hand techniques, rudiments, independents, and reading. As an educator, his goal is to provide a fun and welcoming environment for students of all ages
to learn and grow. Dan knows that every student is different and adjusts his teaching style
accordingly. He believes patience and enthusiasm are the keys to make learning and mastering
the drums fun and interesting. Dan is also well versed in piano, music theory and composition.
Drum Teacher, Assistant Show Director Dave Bradley
Dave Bradley
Drum Teacher, Assistant Show Director
Dave has had a passion for music and playing drums since age 11, having started off playing drums on games like Rock Band before eventually getting real drums. Dave’s musical experience ranges from not only being a School of Rock alum but also playing in concert/pep band throughout high school and then obtaining a bachelor's degree in music education from Five Towns College.

During his time at Five Towns College, Dave played in several ensembles, freelanced for local musicals, and even performed at local venues and released music with his musical projects. Not only does Dave have a long experience with the drums but he also has a background in recording after attending Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in high school for audio production. Dave is well known for his eccentric and rudimental playing within the metal/hardcore realm of music but his playing and influences run even deeper with genres like pop, hip-hop, punk, jazz, electronic, and funk to name a few.

Dave’s goal is to not only teach his students to play their hearts out on the drums, but to also teach them how to become self-sufficient musicians and expand their horizons and love for music so that they can be the best version of themselves behind the kit!
Drum Teacher, Assistant Show Director Harry Smith
Harry Smith
Drum Teacher, Assistant Show Director
Harry Smith is a drummer who loves to perform live and inspire all of his students with his passion for music. He started playing drums as a School of Rock student at the age of 7 and continues to follow his musical passion professionally. He toured around the country for four consecutive years with the School of Rock AllStars.

Harry graduated from New York University in the spring of 2021 with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. One of his highlights at NYU was winning a quintet competition and traveling to Costa Rica to represent them. He was a co-masterclass instructor in Costa Rica and shared his musical ideas with many inspiring musicians of all ages.

Harry has experience recording music in a few different professional recording studios. He has experience being the drummer in musical theatre shows like Elf and Saturday Night Fever. He also performs in the tri-state area at private events that play Motown, rock, jazz standards, top 40, and many other genres.

Harry wants to share his love of music with as many people as he can, and he loves to inspire his students. Music is a language and he aspires to help his students find their own voice.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher EJ Gibney
EJ Gibney
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher
A graduate of Boston University’s Master of Education program, EJ has been providing piano and singing instruction for over 15 years. He has helped guide his students through all levels of NYSSMA adjudication, community and Broadway musical theater auditions for both the pit orchestra and the stage, college entrance auditions, and auditions for America’s Got Talent and The Voice.

EJ began making music over 30 years ago as a boy in his family music room and his passion for music has only grown. On stage, EJ has had performance opportunities with ensembles at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. He believes confident musicianship begins at the crossroads of fundamental understanding and relevant repertoire. As a music educator, there is nothing more fun or exciting than helping you discover skills that take your confidence to new heights!
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Show Director Jillian DiBennardo
Jillian DiBennardo
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Show Director
Jillian DiBennardo has been a certified choir kid for over a decade. She started out in high school with NYSMA solos up to level six, an All-County vocal ensemble, musical theater, piano lessons, and competitive a capella. Her love for music continued into college, earning her bachelor's degree while studying voice at the Crane School of Music.

While studying at Crane, Jillian independently organized a half-hour solo senior recital and was the president of the competitive a capella group, A Sharp Arrangement. Her a capella group toured New York schools and other venues twice a year, performing and providing workshops to kids to inspire a love of music in the next generation. She spent the summer after college touring Spain and Southern France with a mixed choir from Crane. Jillian is incredibly excited to use her experience and share her love of music with her students.
Director, Singing Teacher
Julianna Marek
Show Director, Singing Teacher, Rookies & Little Wing Teacher
Julianna is a singing teacher with a degree in early childhood education. On top of her vocal lessons, she can also be found directing shows, running our yearly holiday choir and running every rookies class that we have to offer! As a School of Rock alum, she is more than familiar with our programs, having worked her way to the top in the School of Rock Allstar program. Her experience with music has found her doing everything from singing in a funk band to belting Painkiller by Judas Priest. It is very likely that Julianna will be the person that welcomes you into our school!
Singing Teacher, Assistant Show Director Kristen Comolli
Kristen Comolli
Singing Teacher, Assistant Show Director
Kristen is a vocal instructor with a degree in music performance in jazz/commercial music as a vocalist from Five Towns College and another degree in music industry/business from SUNY Oneonta. At both colleges, Kristen was part of many ensembles and jam bands and also did solo performances. Before college, she was also doing the same as well as being a School of Rock student for roughly five years.

Kristen enjoys teaching all genres and helping students become stronger musicians. She plays multiple instruments, but her main focus is vocals as she has had a lifetime love for singing. Kristen was mentored by many great names who have taught her that if you combine your musical talents and musical knowledge, you can go far.
Guitar Teacher Luke Miller
Luke Miller
Guitar Teacher
Luke Miller began his musical journey at a very young age thanks to his father, a musician, being a massive influence; Luke ultimately pursued a career in music. He attended Suffolk Community College for Music and eventually transferred to the Crane School of Music where he studied music business and performance.

While at Crane, Luke studied under Dr. Douglas Rubio and was sought after by many students to perform as part of their recitals. In addition to being well-versed in the rock genre and classical music, Luke is also proficient in other styles of music such as jazz, Latin, and blues, and continues to explore new styles.

Luke received a performance certificate from the Crane School of Music, the Phi Mu Alpha scholarship award for Outstanding Musicianship, and was chosen to represent the guitar studio at the Crane Honors recital, as well as invited by Donald George to perform at the Pi Kappa Lamba honor societies ceremony.
Show Director, Bass Guitar Teacher Michael Perlmutter
Michael Perlmutter
Show Director, Bass Guitar Teacher
Michael is a bassist, audio engineer, modular synthesist, and producer. He shares his time between School of Rock Port Jefferson and running live sound for his Manhattan venue where he is director of tech: Chelsea Table of Stage.

Michael is passionate about learning and eager to share his knowledge about music, performance, sound, acoustics, and audio circuitry. Live performance has always been a part of his life. He performs in a band that opened up for local legends Taking Back Sunday and Glassjaw. If you’re looking to learn bass, music production, audio recording, live sound, or detailed explanations of the mechanisms of synthesis, then take a trial with Michael!
Tim Przybylinski Bass Guitar Teacher, Show Director
Tim Przybylinski
Show Director, Bass Guitar Teacher
Tim Przybylinski is a bassist and composer with over 15 years of experience and education in music. He began playing bass at the age of 12, and quickly fell in love with the instrument. Three years later, he joined School of Rock as a student. During his School of Rock tenure, he became a member of his school’s house band, and was selected as a member of the All Star program in 2012. After high school, Tim was accepted into the esteemed Berklee College of Music, where he earned his B.A. in Film Scoring with a minor in Video Game Scoring. Tim also continued his bass studies while at Berklee, and was recognized by the school when he received the Bass Department Achievement Award in 2017. As a teacher, Tim strives to challenge each student while adapting to their individual needs and interests. He hopes to inspire every student to become the best bass player and overall musician that they can be!
Director, Guitar Teacher Vanessa Torre
Vanessa Torre
Show Director, Rock 101 Director, Guitar Teacher
Vanessa got her associates degree at Suffolk County Community College. She is currently working on obtaining her bachelor's degree at Stony Brook University. She plans on teaching music theory at the university level one day. Vanessa has been playing electric guitar for eight years and classical guitar for three years. She specializes in teaching music theory and Alternative Rock. She is a guitar and bass teacher, as well as a performance program director. Vanessa was a student for four years prior to working at the school. She was also a part of School of Rock Port Jefferson’s house band for three years.
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Reviews

My home away from home!

I joined School of Rock when I was 12 years old and in the six years I was there as a student, I made so many amazing memories and met so many great people.

The best music program around.

School of Rock was a life-changer for our son. It allowed him to find his creative side and make a ton of new friends. We have nothing but love for the school.

THE STAFF IS TOP-NOTCH.

School of Rock has superb teachers. This has been a great experience for my daughter.

It boosts confidence and self-esteem.

I have seen my daughter grow tremendously with more self-confidence since starting at School of Rock. This is quite important as my daughter is on the autism spectrum. She tries to socialize more with new people which has been wonderful to see.